---
title: "OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95"
description: "OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 is the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standard for occupational noise exposure in general industry. Two thresholds matter:"
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/osha-29-cfr-1910-95"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:39.883Z"
---

**OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95** is the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standard for occupational noise exposure in general industry. Two thresholds matter:

- **Action level** — 85 dBA TWA (time-weighted average over an 8-hour shift) — triggers a hearing-conservation programme
- **Permissible exposure limit (PEL)** — 90 dBA TWA — at which engineering controls or hearing protection are mandatory

## How it interacts with sonic-horn installations

A [sonic horn](/glossary/sonic-horn) at the work area can exceed 130 dBA SPL at close range. Operators within ear-shot of firing horns require hearing protection; permanent personnel exposure must be calculated as time-weighted average given the horn duty cycle and operator distance.

Mitigation options:

- [Sound-attenuation enclosures](/glossary/sound-attenuation-enclosure-sonic-horn) at the bell
- Operator-station relocation outside the near-field
- Hearing-protection requirements during horn operation
- Acoustic monitoring during operator-presence audits

## Related terms

- [Sound pressure level](/glossary/sound-pressure-level)
- [EU Directive 2003/10/EC](/glossary/eu-directive-2003-10-ec)
- [Sound-attenuation enclosure (sonic horn)](/glossary/sound-attenuation-enclosure-sonic-horn)